In Chapter III, Echoes, Queen Kettricken, Prince Dutiful's mother, is with King Verity, who is the King-in-Waiting. He is killed in the Red Ship War. He had been a great king-to-be.

Tom practices his weapon skills. He goes into the public steam room. Two young men come in and one picks a fight with Tom. Tom sidesteps his punch and pins the young man. Two older men throw the young men out of the steam room. Tom is sad because he knows these older men. He had been friends with them when he had been known as Fitz, but now he is in disguise as Tom Badgerlock.